So we are in the month of October, which means the fall season is in full bloom (well not really, nothing is blooming), but this means pumpkin spiced lattes are back, its sweater weather, and Halloween is right around the corner! However, as a college student, with exams, and homecoming week, who really has time or money to look for a nice Halloween store-bought costume? So here are two top tips to look cute without becoming broke for Halloween.

• My first suggestion is just use a black dress or a black leotard, (or any single color dress or leotard to match your costume idea) as a base for most costumes, and just buy accessories or a costume kit to turn it into a proper Halloween costume. Here are some simple ideas that usually come from a costume kit:
  • Animals- Almost all animal costumes, only need a set of ears, and a tail, and the rest usually involves make up, so drawing a nose, whiskers or even just relying on the accessories to get the costume across. No matter what though, animal costumes are cute and they haven’t gotten out of style. They are purrfect for a quick Halloween costume! 
  • Uniforms- Another very simple concept, that can be shown with just accessories. For example a cop costume really only needs the cop hat, a pair of handcuffs and maybe some aviator glasses. Or a sailor costumer where you only need a sailor hat, white dress instead of black, and maybe a navy scarf around the neck. Whatever the uniform costume may be, it usually only relies on the accessories. 
  • Another idea is just use your own wardrobe or just go to a thrift shop, Some costumes don’t require that you go to a Halloween store for accessories, sometimes you already have what you need. Here are some ideas:
    • Cowboy- All you need is a flannel shirt, maybe some boots and of course a cowboy hat!
    • Nerd- Just use glasses or buy a cheap pair, a white button up shirt, suspenders if you have them, a bowtie or tie, and you are done. For a bonus effect, wrap tape around the nose bridge part of the glasses.
    • Ninja- Just wear all black, and have a black t-shirt ready for your mask. Watch the video to see how to turn the shirt into a ninja mask

There are a lot of other Halloween costume ideas, but if all else fails, just use your old bed sheets, cut two eye holes, and be a college-budget ghost! Happy Halloween season!